Dural repair device and method of use

ABSTRACT

Dural repair devices that are configured to effectively and reliably repair the damage of a dural tear due to incidental durotomies are provided, along with methods of use. The devices and methods enhance the ability of a surgeon to repair a patients dura mater, or dura, during surgery of the central nervous system. The dural repair device has a multi-layer structure configured to exert a pressure or tamponade effect to compress a patient&#39;s dura to its state prior to the spinal surgery. Thus, the dural repair devices and methods of use may reduce the patients risk morbidity, further surgery, spinal headaches, or other injuries and discomforts.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a United States national phase application under 35U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2018/050730,filed Sep. 12, 2018, which claims benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/557,384, filed Sep. 12, 2017, both of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The InternationalApplication published as International Publication No. WO 2019/055551 onMar. 21, 2019.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a tissue sealing device and method ofuse, and more particularly, to a device for repairing dural or fascialdefects or injuries, and/or for protecting the dura or neural elementsduring a surgery of the central nervous system, and related methods ofuse.

BACKGROUND

The dura mater, or dura, is a tough outer layer of tissue that coversand protects the brain and spinal cord. This thick membrane comprisesdense irregular connective tissue and lies directly underneath the bonesof the skull and vertebral column. It is the outermost of three layersof the meninges. If the dura is torn, ruptured or otherwise compromised,then cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may persistently leak out which may causeserious complications, including severe headache, pseudomeningoceleformation, nerve root entrapment, and intracranial hemorrhage.

Advancements in spinal repair devices and techniques have led toincreasing numbers of spinal surgeries being performed every year.Unfortunately, one of the most common neurologic complications duringspinal surgery, whether an endoscopic or open surgery such as adecompression surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, isincidental durotomy, the unintended tear or puncture of the dura mater.This means that more incidental durotomies are occurring as a directresult of the increasing number of spine surgeries being performed, withthe incidence depending on the type and complexity of the spinalprocedure performed. Cerebrospinal fluid leaks which occur duringsurgery often result in extra time in the operating room, whilecerebrospinal fluid leaks occurring after surgery may requirere-operation to repair, adding more time and cost to the patient's careand leading to poor patient outcomes.

Repairing the damage of a dural tear due to an incidental durotomy canbe challenging with current devices and methods due to limitations ofspace and because a fluid-tight closure of the patient's injured dura isnecessary. Oftentimes, the only way to completely repair the defect andprevent further leakage is by suturing the hole or tear. Suturing,however, requires open surgery and is time consuming. Adhesives andpatches have been developed as an alternative to sutures, and althoughthe adhesives and patches are relatively faster than suturing to provideimmediate relief of the leakage, they are not reliable for longer termtreatment because the tear can reopen. Furthermore, the clinical outcomemay not be compromised during the spinal surgery or during the repair.It has been observed that some adhesives and patches create furthercomplications that impede the desired results of the underlying spinalprocedure, leading to poor clinical results.

There is therefore a need for improved dural repair devices that caneffectively and reliably repair the damage of a dural tear due toincidental durotomies.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The embodiments provide dural repair devices that are configured toeffectively and reliably repair the damage of a dural tear due toincidental durotomies. In accordance with one embodiment, a dural repairdevice and method of using the device are provided. The device andmethod enhances the ability of a surgeon to repair a patient's duramater, or dura, during surgery of the central nervous system. The duralrepair device has a multi-layer structure configured to exert a pressureor tamponade effect to compress a patient's dura to its state prior tothe spinal surgery. Thus, the dural repair device and method of usingmay reduce the patient's risk morbidity, further surgery, spinalheadaches, or other injuries and discomforts. The dural repair devicecan be provided with associated instrumentation, a suture material, aset of needles, and a set of suture anchors. The dural repair device mayalso include an automated dural sewing device.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, atissue sealing device is provided that comprises a multi-composite platehaving a top layer and an attached bottom layer, the top layercomprising a rigid and formable resorbable thermoplastic material, thebottom layer comprising a softer and compressible material, wherein theplate is moldable under heat treatment and is configured to provide awater-tight seal over a treatment site. The tissue sealing device mayfurther include a hole for placement of a bone fastener therethrough.Additionally or alternatively, the plate may be attachable to thetreatment site with sutures. For instance, in one embodiment, the softerbottom layer can be sutured to the treatment area, such as to the dura.

In some embodiments, the tissue sealing device may include a valvularpore for insertion of a needle therethrough. The valvular pore mayinclude a thickened portion of the bottom layer.

In some embodiments, the top layer and bottom layer are adheredtogether. In other embodiments, the top layer and bottom layer attachtogether by a friction fit. For example, the top layer may compriseapertures and the bottom layer may comprise studs for engaging theapertures of the top layer.

In some embodiments, the top layer and bottom layer are detachable fromone another. The bottom layer may also be larger in surface area thanthe top layer in some embodiments. In still other embodiments, the toplayer and bottom layer differ in size or shape. The plate may beconfigured to be cut to a desired shape or size.

According to one aspect, the heat treatment may comprise warm watertreatment.

According to another aspect, the bottom layer may be configured toadhere to the treatment site.

Suitable thermoplastic materials may be selected from the groupconsisting of polylactic acid (PLA), poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA),polyglycolic acid (PGA), poly-P-dioxanone, poly-E-caprolactone,polyorthoester, poly-B-hydroxybutyrate, poly-B-hydroxyvalerate,poly-DTH-iminocarbonate, and L-lactide-co-glycolide.

Suitable compressible materials may be selected from the groupconsisting of collagen, or a collagen matrix-like substance, polyesterurethane, polysaccharide, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)poly-p-dioxanone (PDS), cellulose, human skin, and bovine pericardium.

It is contemplated that the treatment site may be at a laminar defect ofa spine, at a cranial defect of a skull, or at a repair site of afascia.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, amethod of sealing a treatment site is provided. The method may includeproviding a multi-composite plate having a top layer and an attachedbottom layer, the top layer comprising a rigid and formable resorbablethermoplastic material, the bottom layer comprising a softer andcompressible material, the plate being moldable under heat treatment andbeing configured to provide a water-tight seal over a treatment site;forming a sealing device from the multi-composite plate; and securingthe formed sealing device to the treatment site.

According to one aspect, the step of forming the sealing device includesapplication of a heat treatment, and the heat treatment may include warmwater.

The step of forming the sealing device may include cutting the plate toa desired size or shape. The step of forming the sealing device may alsoinclude molding the plate into a desired shape.

The step of securing the sealing device may include suturing the sealingdevice to the treatment site. The step of securing the sealing devicemay also include inserting a bone fastener through the sealing device tothe treatment site. Additionally the step of securing the sealing devicemay also apply a tamponade pressure effect to the treatment site.

It is contemplated that the treatment site may be at a laminar defect ofa spine, at a cranial defect of a skull, or at a repair site of afascia.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a patient's spine and dura in a normal state priorto removal of bone during a spinal surgery.

FIG. 1B illustrates the patient's spine of FIG. 1A in a decompressedstate after removal of bone during a spinal surgery.

FIG. 1C illustrates the patient's spine of FIG. 1B with a dural repairdevice according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the dural repair device of FIG. 1C.

FIG. 3 is a top-down view of the dural repair device of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a top-down view of a dural repair device according to anotherembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5A is a side view of the dural repair device of FIG. 1C having avalvular pore, according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5B shows the dural repair device of FIG. 5A in use with a needle.

FIGS. 6A-6C show an exploded view of a dural repair device, according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows the dural repair device of FIG. 1C applied to a craniumafter decompressive craniectomy.

FIG. 8A shows the dural repair device of FIG. 1C in use in a patient'sspine.

FIG. 8B is an enlarged view showing a needle injecting fluid through thevalvular pore of the dural repair device of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A shows the dural repair device of FIG. 1C in use in a patient'sspine along with an injection needle.

FIG. 9B is an enlarged view showing a needle removing fluid through thevalvular pore of the dural repair device of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a patient's spine having anunprotected and vulnerable neural element after spinal surgery.

FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of the patient's spine of FIG. 10A afterthe application of the dural repair device of FIG. 1C.

FIG. 11A illustrates a repaired wound site on a patient's fascia.

FIG. 11B is an enlarged view of a tissue sealing device in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in use with therepaired wound site of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11C is a partial cutaway view of the tissue sealing device andwound site of FIG. 11B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides a tissue sealing device and method ofusing such a device for wound repair. More particularly, the presentdisclosure provides a dural repair device that is configured forrepairing dural tears due to incidental durotomies. The dural repairdevice 20 of the present disclosure comprises a moldable and resorbableplate configured to facilitate dural closure during a spinal surgery orcranial surgery. Furthermore, the dural repair device 20 may be usedduring non-spinal or cranial procedures in which the dura isinadvertently injured, and requires repair, or during surgeries in whichthe dura is intentionally opened to address intradural pathology, andthen requires subsequent closure. The dural repair device 20 has amulti-layer structure made of materials that are approved for use withdural repairs. The dural repair device 20 is configured to exert apressure or tamponade effect to compress a patient's dura 12 to itsnormal state prior to spinal surgery, as further described below.

Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate a method of using anexemplary dural repair device 20 of the present disclosure. FIG. 1Ashows a patient's spine, in cross-sectional view, in a normal stateprior to surgery. The vertebral body 2, transverse processes 4, inferiorarticular processes 6, and spinous process 8 are all in their properposition. The spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid 10 are well protectedwithin the intact dura mater, or dura, 12. After a decompression surgeryto remove bone tissue, as shown in FIG. 1B, the dura mater 12 may becompromised by an inadvertent tear or breach occurring during the spinalsurgery, or the dura 12 may expand as shown, which then allowscerebrospinal fluid to leak out. A dural repair device 20 may be appliedas shown in FIG. 1C, to restore the dura 12 back to normal and keep thecerebrospinal fluid 10 from leaking out.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, the dural repair device20 may have a thickness in the range of approximately 3 millimeters to 4millimeters, although dural repair devices 20 having other thicknessesmay be used accordingly. As shown in FIG. 2 , the dural repair device 20may include two layers: a top layer 30 and a bottom layer 40. In oneembodiment, the top layer 30 is pre-attached to the bottom layer 40. Thetop layer 30 and the bottom layer 40 may be attached by an adhesive,such as a biological glue or the like, by an adhesive process, such asforming or pressure fitting, or by an interference fit (see FIGS.6A-6C), or the like. The dural repair device may be moldable to fit intoa space to support the patient's dura 12, such as in a patient's laminardefect, or space that was occupied by bone prior to bone removal, and toprovide a fluid-tight closure to reduce the likelihood of cerebrospinalfluid leakage.

At least one layer of the multi-layer structure of the dural repairdevice 20 is rigid, and at least one layer of the multi-layer structureis pliable or conformable. The dural repair device 20 of the presentembodiment may be formable by heat-forming. For example, and as furtherdescribed below, at least one layer of the multi-layer structure isheat-formable to adapt a desired shape, such as the shape of a patient'slaminar defect (see FIGS. 1B and 1C; see also FIGS. 8A-10B). Accordingto one embodiment, the dural repair device 20 is heat-formable byplacing the dural repair device 20 in a warm bath and forming the duralrepair device 20 into a desired shape by hand. Alternatively, the duralrepair device 20 may be formed by using a template of the desired shape,such as a moldable metal template or the like, and using the template inthe warm bath to form the desired shape. Furthermore, the dural repairdevice 20 may be cut to fit into the space of the patient's laminardefect, or alternatively to fit into the space of the patient's laminardefect and provide a friction fit within the laminar defect, as furtherdescribed below.

The dural repair device 20 of the illustrated embodiment may be held inplace by fasteners 60, such as by screws or suture anchors that areinserted into the dural repair device 20 and bone, to anchor the duralrepair device 20 to the bone and support the patient's dura 12 (seeFIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A, and 10B). The fasteners 60 are inserted and fastenedin holes or apertures preformed in the dural repair device 20.Alternatively, the dural repair device 20 may be moldable to fit intothe space and molded to frictionally fit within the laminar defectbetween the bone and dura 12, without the use of fasteners. Thus, arigid thermoplastic material is formable, such as heating in a warm bathas described above, and molded to fit into the space produced by thebone removal during spinal surgery.

The top layer 30 of the dural repair device 20 is configured to exert apressure or tamponade effect to compress the patient's dura 12 to itsstate prior to the spinal surgery. In the illustrated embodiment, thetop layer is a rigid and formable material that is bioabsorbable orresorbable. For example, the top layer 30 in the illustrated embodimentmay be a thermoplastic, such as polylactic acid (PLA), poly-L-lacticacid (PLLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), poly-P-dioxanone,poly-E-caprolactone, polyorthoester, poly-B-hydroxybutyrate,poly-B-hydroxyvalerate, poly-DTH-iminocarbonate, orL-lactide-co-glycolide, or the like. The material of the dural repairdevice 20 of the present embodiment generally has preferredbioabsorbability, rather than mechanical properties such as tensilestrength, since many dural injuries caused by spinal surgery arecommonly repaired within 2-3 weeks. Thus, the dural repair device 20 isconfigured to be reabsorbed within 1 month or within 1-6 months of theinjury caused by spinal surgery.

The bottom layer 40 is made of a softer material than the top layer 30.In one embodiment, the bottom layer 40 of the dural repair device 20 isa collagen-like material that is configured to be compressed by the toplayer 30 to fill gaps between the top layer 30 and the patient's duramater 12. For example, the bottom layer 40 can be made of collagen, or acollagen matrix-like substance, such as commercially-available Duragen™(Integra), Durepair® (Medtronic, Inc.), Duramatrix® (Stryker, Inc.),polyester urethane, polysaccharide, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)poly-p-dioxanone (PDS), cellulose, or human skin, bovine pericardium, orthe like. In use, the rigid and formable top layer 30 compresses thepliable bottom layer 40 into the desired shape to substantially seal thelaminar defect and provide a fluid-tight closure. The bottom layer 40supports the patient's dura 12, and as described above, is fixed to thepatient's surrounding bone with the top layer 30.

According to another embodiment, the dural repair device 20 furtherincludes a valvular pore 34 configured to provide one-way fluid flow forfilling the thecal sac of the patient's dura 12. The valvular pore 34includes a thickened portion of the bottom layer 40 such that thethickened portion prevents fluid from flowing out of the dura 12 when aneedle 50 is passed through the dural repair device 20, as shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B. Alternatively, the valvular pore 34 may include adynamically translating membrane that is positioned in different planesto allow for introduction and simultaneous containment of added cerebralspinal fluid. For example, the surgeon may fill the patient's thecal sacwith a cerebrospinal fluid-like fluid through the valvular pore 34 toprovide an enhanced tamponade effect. The cerebrospinal fluid-like fluidand enhanced tamponade effect may improve healing of the dura 12, andincrease adherence of the dural repair device 20 to the dura, to improvesealing the laminar defect for a fluid-tight closure, and to potentiallyreduce the risk and/or severity of discomforts such as spinal headaches.

The dural repair device 20 may be provided in a typical shape and size,such as shape and size that may be applicable for a common laminardefect in a common patient spinal canal. A typical shape may be a squareor rectangle, as shown in FIG. 3 . Other shapes include an H-like shapeas shown in FIG. 4 , which illustrates the dural repair device 20 havinga pre-formed H-like shape in which the body of the device 20 includes acentral portion 32 and flaps 36. Of course, it is understood that otherpre-formed shapes may be used, such as for example, a circle,semicircle, or oval. Thus, a surgeon may have a set of dural repairdevices 20 having various pre-formed shapes and pre-cut sizes for manycommon dural and fascial defects and many common patient's spinalcanals. Since the dural repair device 20 can be cut and shaped tospecificity, it is also understood that the device 20 may be provided asa large sheet, a strip, or roll of material that can then be cut andshaped to suit the patient's needs, as will be described further below.

Forming the dural repair device 20 further includes heating the duralrepair device 20, molding the dural repair device 20 to a desired shape,and cutting the dural repair device 20 a desired size. In the currentembodiment, heating the dural repair device 20 includes placing thedural repair device 20 in a warm bath, and molding the dural repairdevice 20 includes hand-molding the dural repair device 20.

Furthermore, securing the dural repair device 20 to the laminar defectincludes substantially sealing the laminar defect for a fluid-tightclosure by positioning a pliable bottom layer of the dural repair device20 adjacent to the patient's dura (see also FIGS. 8-11 ). In theillustrated embodiment, securing the dural repair device 20 furtherincludes fastening the dural repair device 20 to bone adjacent to thelaminar defect such as with fasteners 60, or in the alternative,frictionally fitting the dural repair device 20 within the laminardefect formed by the bone adjacent to the patient's dura 12.

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, the dural repair device 120may be configured in multiple layers that are coupled using aninterference or friction fit. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B,the bottom layer 140 includes a plurality of studs 144 generallyarranged in a pattern, and the top layer 130 includes a plurality ofapertures 134 that are generally arranged in the same pattern as theplurality of studs 144. As a further example, the bottom layer 140 ispliable, while the top layer 130 is relatively stiff such that thebottom layer 140 takes the shape of the top layer when coupled. Asdiscussed above, the top layer 130 can be molded to a desired shape. Theplurality of apertures 134 of the top layer 130 and the plurality ofstuds 144 of the bottom layer 140 are aligned and coupled together byfirmly pressing, as shown in FIG. 6C.

In some embodiments, the softer, pliable layer can be detached from theharder top layer in situations where extra redundancy of the softerlayer could be used to fill in voids in the latter recesses of the spineor parts of the anatomy that are difficult to reach. In such a case, thedevice 20 may be used with a smaller hard layer that is secured to boneor other tissue, and a larger soft layer to cover broader areas wherelamina or skull is still present such that the smaller hard layer coversthe area where bone is not present, and the soft layer that extendsbeyond the hard layer can be tucked underneath the lamina or skull.

The present disclosure provides a method of using the dural repairdevice 20, such as described above, in a laminar defect of a patientduring a spinal surgery. The method of the current embodiment includesproviding the dural repair device 20 configured to fit within a laminardefect of a patient during a spinal surgery, forming the dural repairdevice 20 to the laminar defect, and securing the dural repair device 20to the laminar defect.

In another exemplary method of using the dural repair device 20, FIG. 7illustrates a patient after a craniectomy who is vulnerable to braininjury due to the absence of a portion of the skull 110 for protection.The dural repair device 20 of the present disclosure may be applied inthis situation to seal and protect the vulnerable portion of the brain112, as shown in which the device 20 can be applied over the brain 112prior to closing up the skull flaps 114 over the device 20. The device20 may be configured for use with a drain and/or a pressure monitor, ifso desired.

FIGS. 8A to 10B illustrate exemplary methods of using the dural repairdevice 20 of the present disclosure after spinal surgery to restore thedura 12. As shown in FIG. 8A, the dural repair device 20 may be moldedand formed, then secured to bone using fasteners 60, to ensure that thespinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid 10 are protected and do not leak. Ifdesired, the surgeon may fill the patient's thecal sac with acerebrospinal fluid-like fluid by injecting with syringe 50 through thevalvular pore 34 to provide an enhanced tamponade effect, as shown inFIG. 8B. The cerebrospinal fluid-like fluid and enhanced tamponadeeffect may improve healing of the dura 12, and increase adherence of thedural repair device 20 to the dura, to improve sealing the laminardefect for a fluid-tight closure, and to potentially reduce the riskand/or severity of discomforts such as spinal headaches.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an exemplary method of using the dural repairdevice 20 of the present disclosure after spinal surgery to restore thedura 12, while also allowing removal of fluid or fluid-like materials.As shown in FIG. 9A, the dural repair device 20 may be used with asyringe 50 for removal of fluids or fluid-like materials. A needle ofthe syringe 50 can be inserted through valvular pore 34 to withdrawmaterials out of the patient and away from the dural repair device 20 asshown in FIG. 9B.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate an exemplary method of using the duralrepair device 20 of the present disclosure to provide neural protectionfrom post operative hematoma or seroma. In some scenarios in brain andspine surgery where the dura 12 may be intact, there is a need toprovide additional protection to the brain, spinal cord or nerve rootsdue to the risk of compression from blood clots and fluid collectionsthat may build up because the patient is on blood thinners, or has fluidoverload. In these high risk patients, this device 20 provides thesurgeon with a means of protecting the neural elements, even when thereis no need to repair or seal the dura. As shown in FIG. 10A, the dura 12is still intact after removal of bone during spinal surgery. However, asshown in FIG. 10B, the dural repair device 20 can be applied to furtherprotect the area, and secured with bone fasteners 60.

Aside from dural repair and dural/nerve protection, the device 20 of thepresent disclosure could also be used to help reinforce the fascia ofthe back and abdomen. For example, the device 20 may serve as a barrierto adhesion formation for wounds that are expected to be re-opened, andtherefore has applications for all sites of the human body.

Referring now to FIGS. 11A-1C, in still another embodiment, the duralrepair device 20 can be applied to provide a dural seal. For example, incomplex cases in which there is limited confidence about watertightseal, the dural repair device 20 serves as a wound repair or woundsealing device. In the illustrated example, the device 20 can be appliedto the fascia as a second barrier to CSF leakage. For instance, as shownin FIG. 11A, after spinal surgery has been completed and the wound area210 sutured shut, the tissue sealing device 20 may be applied over thesutured area with sutures 26, as shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C. This tissuesealing device 20 thus serves to protect the area by providing anadditional watertight seal over the fascia and behind the patient's skin220.

In still another example, the tissue sealing device 20 of the presentdisclosure could be used during skull base surgery where dural leaks arecommon and there is a need to seal the dura with a device that has asoft inner lining, and a moldable outer shell that can be cut down tothe appropriate size as would be the case for pituitary surgery whereCSF leaks occur very commonly.

Although the discussion focuses on the spine and brain, it will beappreciated that many of the principles may equally be applied to otherstructural body parts within a human or animal body.

Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice of thedisclosure provided herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tissue sealing device for dural repair,comprising: a multi-composite plate having a top layer and an attachedbottom layer, the top layer comprising a rigid and formable resorbablethermoplastic material, the bottom layer comprising a compressiblematerial softer than the thermoplastic material of the top layer, theplate being moldable under heat treatment and being configured toprovide a water-tight seal over a treatment site, wherein the plateincludes a valvular pore for insertion of a needle therethrough, thevalvular pore being configured to provide one-way fluid flow.
 2. Thetissue sealing device of claim 1, further including a hole for placementof a bone fastener therethrough.
 3. The tissue sealing device of claim1, wherein the valvular pore includes a thickened portion of the bottomlayer.
 4. The tissue sealing device of claim 1, wherein the top layerand bottom layer are adhered together.
 5. The tissue sealing device ofclaim 4, wherein the top layer comprises apertures and the bottom layercomprises studs for engaging the apertures of the top layer.
 6. Thetissue sealing device of claim 1, wherein the top layer and bottom layerattach together by a friction fit.
 7. The tissue sealing device of claim1, wherein the top layer and bottom layer are detachable from oneanother.
 8. The tissue sealing device of claim 1, wherein the bottomlayer is larger in surface area than the top layer.
 9. The tissuesealing device of claim 1, wherein the top layer and bottom layer differin size or shape.
 10. The tissue sealing device of claim 1, wherein theplate is configured to be cut to a desired shape or size.
 11. The tissuesealing device of claim 1, wherein the heat treatment comprises warmwater treatment.
 12. The tissue sealing device of claim 1, wherein thebottom layer is configured to adhere to the treatment site.
 13. Thetissue sealing device of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material isselected from the group consisting of polylactic acid (PLA),poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), poly-P-dioxanone,poly-E-caprolactone, polyorthoester, poly-B-hydroxybutyrate,poly-B-hydroxyvalerate, poly-DTH-iminocarbonate, andL-lactide-co-glycolide.
 14. The tissue sealing device of claim 1,wherein the compressible material is selected from the group consistingof collagen, or a collagen matrix-like substance, polyester urethane,polysaccharide, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) poly-p-dioxanone(PDS), cellulose, human skin, and bovine pericardium.
 15. The tissuesealing device of claim 1, wherein the treatment site is at a laminardefect of a spine.
 16. The tissue sealing device of claim 1, wherein thetreatment site is at a cranial defect of a skull.
 17. The tissue sealingdevice of claim 1, wherein the treatment site is at a repair site of afascia.
 18. The tissue sealing device of claim 1, wherein the treatmentsite includes a neural element.
 19. The tissue sealing device of claim18, wherein the neural element comprises a brain, spinal cord, or nerveroot.
 20. The tissue sealing device of claim 1, wherein the plate isattachable to the treatment site with sutures.